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Sharon Bloomquist
Last month’s North Shore Health Board of Directors’ meeting was missing something — or someone, rather.
The familiar face of Sharon Bloomquist wasn’t there as the longtime board member resigned at the end of the January meeting. She recently moved out of the county district she represented, District 1, after serving on the board for more than 20 years.
In that time, Bloomquist’s commitment to the hospital and care center was evident as she seldom missed a meeting, bringing her quiet demeanor and thoughtful perspective every month.
“She didn’t always speak up, but if there was something she felt strongly about she did give us her thoughts,” said Kay Olson, North Shore Health Board Chair.
It seems taking care of people has been Bloomquist’s calling as she, along with her husband, David, prior to his death in 2006, raised five children, fostered more than 40 children and opened their doors as a safe home for abused women — some of which still call her “mom” today. So, it seems natural that part of her working career was spent at the local hospital where she was a nurses aide and she worked in the activities department for a few years. She enjoyed those roles, the people she worked with and she knew the importance of having healthcare here in Grand Marais. So, when an opportunity to join the organization’s leadership presented itself, it was one she couldn’t pass up.
After more than two decades of service as a board member, Bloomquist is most proud of being an advocate for North Shore Health’s employees and the residents of the care center.
“She was always interested in making sure we provided quality service and it was important to her to recognize the employees for their work,” said Kimber Wraalstad, CEO/Administrator for North Shore Health.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, you could often find Bloomquist at the care center, sitting, smiling and laughing with a group of residents. Whether it was through her role at North Shore Health, driving the Arrowhead Transit bus or as director of the Grand Marais Senior Center, Bloomquist kept the community’s senior population top of mind in her work.
“That was always something close to my heart,” Bloomquist said. “I’ve seen a lot of additions and remodels to the North Shore Health facilities in my period of time — we are always making improvements. But change is hard, especially for the residents of the care center — as we get older, we don’t do change very easily. I was always advocating for the residents of the care center.”
Some of those changes included the $24.5 million expansion and remodeling of the hospital and care center campus from 2015-2018 —a project she was instrumental in as a board member. In addition, Bloomquist and her counterparts on the board provided leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and she has been impressed with the staff’s response.
“I think they’re doing a very good job managing what needs to be done, managing the different groups they need to meet and reach,” she said.
Bloomquist keeps busy now by sewing quilts for her eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren or baking bread for the care center’s coffee time. She is frequently found with close friends and neighbors, EvaLyn and Penny, usually sharing a laugh together. And although she is no longer on the North Shore Health board, she remains an involved community member as board member for the nonprofit resale store Oddz & Endz and the Salvation Army. She is also on the Trinity Lutheran Church council, just to name a few.
Looking toward the future, Bloomquist hopes North Shore Health will continue to explore other services that could be offered here in Grand Marais – something done before that is now impacting her personally as she is receiving treatment for cancer.
“When they started working on the last remodel, I pushed for us to be able to provide chemotherapy,” Bloomquist said. “I’m so appreciative that I don’t have to run to Duluth.”
Those that worked with Bloomquist or knew her say her sense of humor and infectious laugh is what they’ll miss most without her on the board.
“Her laugh helped put people at ease,” Wraalstad said.
For Bloomquist, it’s the communication with employees and fellow board members that she’ll miss, but she feels the organization is in good hands.
“We have a lot of good staff working there,” she said.
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